We, the undersigned citizens of the Maldives and concerned individuals worldwide, strongly condemn the deployment of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) by the Maldives Police Service (@PoliceMv) against peaceful protesters during the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) opposition rally on October 3, 2025, in Malé. This incident represents a grave misuse of force, endangering public health and violating fundamental human rights.

Background of the Incident The "Lootuvaifi" protest was organized by the MDP to demand government accountability amid ongoing political tensions. Despite being intended as a peaceful demonstration, police intervened aggressively, arresting at least eight demonstrators for allegedly violating agreed-upon march conditions, such as using unauthorized roads and throwing objects. In a particularly alarming escalation, authorities deployed LRADs—devices capable of emitting sounds exceeding 170 decibels—to disperse the crowd in a densely populated residential area late at night, affecting not only protesters but also families, children, and nearby residents who were sleeping. Eyewitness accounts and videos confirm the LRADs were used for extended periods (over 30-45 minutes on and off), blasting high-pitched sirens that caused immediate pain, disorientation, and potential long-term harm.

Why This Must Stop: Key Concerns

Health and Safety Risks: LRADs are known to cause permanent hearing damage, dizziness, nausea, and psychological trauma, especially with prolonged exposure in close proximity. Their use in a confined urban setting like Malé's artificial beach area amplified these dangers, targeting civilians indiscriminately.

Human Rights Violations: The deployment constitutes disproportionate and excessive force against the right to peaceful assembly, as protected under the Maldivian Constitution and international standards like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It echoes tactics criticized globally for suppressing dissent and inflicting unnecessary suffering.

Legal and Ethical Issues: Importing and using LRADs—often associated with Israeli military technology—may contravene Maldives' ban on products from Israel. Lawyers have already indicated plans to challenge this before the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) and National Integrity Commission (NIC).

Erosion of Democratic Freedoms: This action undermines trust in law enforcement and the government, signaling intolerance for opposition voices in a democracy.

Our Demands We call upon:

1. The President of the Maldives and the Minister of Home Affairs to immediately investigate the incident, discipline those responsible, and ban the use of LRADs in crowd control.
2. The Maldives Police Service to cease all non-lethal weapons that pose irreversible harm and adopt de-escalation protocols prioritizing dialogue over intimidation.
3. The HRCM, NIC, and judiciary to probe potential violations and ensure accountability.
4. International bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Office (@UNHumanRights), Amnesty International (@AmnestyOnline), and Human Rights Watch (@hrw), to monitor the situation and support victims.

We refuse to accept cruelty in the name of order. Sign this petition to protect the right to protest, safeguard public health, and uphold justice in the Maldives.